Tarrant pleads not guilty to stabbing roommate

Debra Tarrant pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in the first degree during her arraignment hearing on Monday afternoon in Butler County District Court.

"My client wishes to enter a not guilty plea at this time," said Tarrant's attorney, James Watts. "I will tell the court we are in the process of contracting a mental health evaluation. It is not secret that we are considering the possibility of a mental disease or defect in this case."

Judge Charles Hart, in an effort to conduct a fair and speedy trial, set the pretrial conference plea docket for 9 a.m. Oct, 17. The jury trial date was set for 9 a.m. Oct. 21.